25 Amazing Places to Visit in France

There are lots of interesting and beautiful places to visit in France, and it’s a destination that you can travel to 365 days a year.

I think this list is a great start when planning yourtrip! The places aren’t ranked in any particular order, and they’re just numbered as a reference to the list of 25 Amazing places to Visit in France.

1. Verdon Gorge

If you’re traveling to the French Riviera, make sure to go on a day trip to Gorges du Verdon (Verdon Gorge), which is a spectacular canyon about 2 hours away from Cannes.

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2. Colmar

This colorful gem can be found in the Alsace region, and Colmar is famous for its old German houses in various colors. The Alsace region in itself is also one of the best places to visit in France, especially if you enjoy wine and quaint little villages.

3. Corsica

If you’re looking for the best beaches in France, look no further than Corsica. Here you will find crystal clear turqouise water as well as sandy white beaches that will easily make you feel like you’re in paradise.

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4. Brittany

Brittany or Bretagne is a region in the western part of the country, and it’s filled with charming villages like this one.

Some of the most charming villages in Bretagne are Carnac, Dinan, Locronan, and Pont-Aven just to mention a few.

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5. Nimes

Nimes is an ancient Roman city where you can find a well-preserved Roman Amphitheater, so it shouldn’t surprise you that it has been named as the most Roman city outside of Italy.

But Nimes is more than “just” an amphitheater and it’s quite a lovely city to visit in the Occitanie region.

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6. Chamonix

The French Alps are spectacular and there are many ski destinations that are worth visiting, but if I were to highlight just one it would be Chamonix, which is considered as one of the best places to visit in France if you want to go skiing.

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7. Annecy

Annecy is often nicknamed the Pearl of French Alps, and rightly so. It’s a true gem located beautifully next to the Annecy lake. It’s a historical city that has been inhabited for more than 4000 years, and it has been a city since Roman times.

8. Strasbourg

Another beautiful city in the Alsace region, albeit a little bigger than Colmar. Strasbourg is a popular university town, and it’s also one of the capitals of the European Union, as it is the seat of several European institutions.

Strasbourg is very charming, and it has an interesting mix of the new and old.

9. Dune of Pilat

When you think of France, you are probably not thinking about sand dunes, but the Dune of Pilat is the highest sand dune in Europe.

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10. Mont Saint-Michel

This is one of the most iconic places to visit in France, and every year more than 3 million people come here to admire the beautiful Mont-Saint-Michel.

The Vikings captured Mont in 847, and some years later the famous viking Rollo Gange-Hrólfr “Rollo” Ragnvaldsson de Normandie financed the reparation of the damages.

It has been a strategic fortification since ancient times and since the days of Rollo, it has been one of the most impressive French landmarks.

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11. Dordogne

About 1.5 hours east of Bordeaux you can visit this charming village in the Dordogne. The region is home to some medieval towns and unspoilt nature as well as a chateau.

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12. Lille

Lille is a beautiful city in French Flanders, near the border to Belgium. Archeological findings suggest that the city was inhabited already in 2000 B.C. In 2004, it was elected as the European Capital of Culture, and there are many beautiful buildings to explore.

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13. Chateau de Chaumont

Of all the Chateaus in France, this might be my favorite. Chateau de Chaumont is located in Chaumont-sur-Loire and was founded already in the 10th century.

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14. Aix-en-Provence

The Lavender Fields in Aix-en-Provence and Southern France have quickly become famous attractions thanks to social media.

The purple fields that line up perfectly are so picturesque that you should definitely include it in your itinerary if you’re traveling to France in June to July.

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15. Bordeaux

The historic part of Bordeaux is inscribed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, but the city is also famous for its wine. This is also the city where the world’s main wine fair is being held each year – the Vinexpo.

Bordeaux itself is a lovely port city located in the Southwestern France.

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16. Montpellier

With one third of the population being studens, Montpellier is today an important university town in France. It’s the third largest city in the country, and it was a major settlement already in the Early Middle ages.

Montpellier is a great city to go on a weekend trip.

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17. Cannes

Every year the world famous film festival of Cannes is being held here, and celebrities from all over the world come here. Cannes is also a place where many jet setters come with their luxury yachts during the summer month.

But it’s also a charming old city with many restaurants, cafés, and shopping.

18. Saint-Tropez

Another fancy destination along the French Riviera that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you like to party and soak up the sun. Saint Tropez has some of the best nightlife in all of Europe.

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19. Troyes

A historical city that dates back to the Gauls and the Roman Empire. Today, visitors can stroll around and admire the beautiful half-timbered houses in Troyes.

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20. Versailles

The Versailles Palace is too grand and majestic not to include on this list, and while you probably have already heard of it, it’s nonetheless stunning. Versailles can easily be reached within 35 minutes by public transportation or 50 minutes by car from the French capital.

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21. Etretat

If you’re looking for beautiful natural places to visit in France, the Etretat is a must place to write down on your French bucket list. The white chalk cliffs and arches are located in the Normandy region in north-western France.

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22. Menton

Menton lies next to the Italian border and is often overlooked by international tourists that visit the more famous destinations such as Nice and Cannes, but Menton is easily one of the most beautiful and colorful villages in France.

The Lemon Festival is a popular annual event takes place every February

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23. Écrins National Park

This national park is one of the best places to visit in France if you love to go hiking. The stunning landscapes of the Écrins national park are amazing. It covers an area of 91,800 hectares and offers its visitors various hiking trails.

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24. Château de Chambord

This impressive Chateau is located in the beautiful Loire Valley in central France. It has an interesting French Renaissance architecture, and some historians even dedicate the original design to Leonardo da Vinci and Domenico da Cortona.

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25. Paris

Last but not least, the French capital Paris. Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in France and the world. Few cities can offer such charm and famous attractions as Paris.

I love meeting the spring here, and just sit down at a quaint little cafe in Montmartre and people watch. Or go for a stroll along the river.

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My Top 10 Places to Visit in France

These are my 10 favorites. Do you agree? Share your own favorite places to visit in France in the comment section below.

Paris

Colmar

Aix-en-Provence

Etretat

Verdon Gorge

Brittany

Mont Saint-Michel

Chamonix

Nimes

Bordeaux

More Places to Visit in France

Antibes

Marseille

Toulouse

Biarritz

Béziers

Nice

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Book Your Trip

So, now that you know about all these beautiful places to visit in France, it’s time to book your trip!